While a wedding is a great time to bring all your family and friends together, it is at your expense, so you need to be discerning. You should have an agreement with your partner as to whether you want a small or big wedding and come up with some rough numbers to begin with. Then take out your wedding planning diary and start to devise a list.

Of course, you must invite immediate family such as both side's parents and siblings, grandparents and if you are lucky, great grandparents. Divide your list into groom and brides sides and place each member in the appropriate list. Next add your closest friends who you see regularly and if you have a good relationship with any other family members such as cousins or aunts and uncles then they should be included also. For a small wedding, this is really all you need. There is no reason to go crazy inviting everyone you have ever associated with if you are on a tight budget.

Too many couples in today's debt driven society start their marriages off in the red because of their wedding. It can cost more than $50 per head, depending on the venue you have chosen, but it all adds up. With other expenses such as gowns, flowers, cars, churches and alcohol each extra guest is a big drop in a small ocean. Work the guest list around your budget instead of the other way around, and don't feel obliged to invite people you aren’t close to.

Let's face it; some people can afford to go all out and be extravagant, and if you have always dreamed of a huge wedding, then why not? You can go as far as paying to transport relatives from other states for a real family reunion wedding, and in some cultures this is seen as a must. One suggestion definitely worth considering is remembering friends you have unfortunately lost touch with over time. Often as people become busy with relationships and work, their circle of friends becomes smaller and attending social events is less frequent. If there is anyone you regret losing touch with, send them an invitation followed by a phone call to apologize for leaving things so long. You will be elated when they turn up, and it will be most likely the repair and renewal of a good and old friendship.

The most important thing is for the bride and groom to enjoy their day and feel comfortable with the people who are there. When it comes time for the reception and the best man is revealing private details in a drunken speech you might not appreciate you new boss hearing it! Everyone is different, but hopefully you can agree with your future partner to be on what you both want. If you think the bigger the better and want a huge party you better start planning, but if you want something more intimate, that will be just as special a wedding day as well.